Patient's take on CRNA vs A/MD

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Hey guys!

I've been looking at this forum for about a month now. CRNA appears to be the exactly thing I want to do. I've been an RN for 15 yrs, got B.S. (premed/bio),M.S in Acupuncture.I also di 2 semesters of basic science in Carib med school, but decided that to withdraw(long story). Family is a priority,which I understood almost a year into the program.Well, I definitely overestimated my ability to commit to 8-10 yrs deal, being 35 y.o already. I realize that CRNA school may not be any less intense than a med school, but the duration of that intensity is shorter. In my 15 yrs as an RN I did about 7 months in SICU, but the safest thing would be to get that year in ICU :rotfl: :uhoh3: . But when all of this is ready to roll...I'm still puzzeled by a few things.Do you guys have to deal with pts who flatly refuse care by anyone less than a doc (MD/DO), much like it happens in the NP world? Please forgive my ignorance,I'm very new to this issue. I had a classmate in my Acupuncture school who was a CRNA with lots of years under her belt.But I never realy asked her anything about the "GAS" thing in great detail.She told me that she was working with plastic sergeons in outpatient settings, and that there were "issues" Well, now I'm woundering how much of an "issues" are you dealing with, and do docs steal from you, just because of their titles?

Thanks all in advance

Your responces are greatly appreciated :thankya:

P.S. I forgot to ask with an educatoin like mine (no BSN/MSN) what's the best way to go about it? I'm in NYC. Any suggestion/advice on schoos in

Tri-State area?

Thanks again

I know CRNAs perform most anesthesia in the United States. I think most people are aware that they're competent practitioners.

Sadly, I don't agree on this. When I say I'm studying nurse anesthesia people say "oh, so you're going to be an anesthesiologist?" CRNAs are the invisible practioners. If people don't even know what CRNAs are, they won't have a lot of confidence in the profession.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Sadly, I don't agree on this. When I say I'm studying nurse anesthesia people say "oh, so you're going to be an anesthesiologist?" CRNAs are the invisible practioners. If people don't even know what CRNAs are, they won't have a lot of confidence in the profession.

Believe me, CRNAs do not have the monopoly on not being totally accepted by the lay public.

The NP is just as ostracized in many instances. I am asked numerous times a week if I am the doctor. Can I do the same thing the physician does. And, on and on and on.

The public will need continuous education in regards to what the NP and the CRNA have to offer.

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Sadly, I don't agree on this. When I say I'm studying nurse anesthesia people say "oh, so you're going to be an anesthesiologist?" CRNAs are the invisible practioners. If people don't even know what CRNAs are, they won't have a lot of confidence in the profession.

I'm terribly sorry to hear that. People certianly need to become more educated on the value of NPs and CRNAs. Many people I've met here in LA love NPs. They know what they are and are aware of the critical role they play in healthcare...maybe it's just because I'm in a more progressive city.

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Hey FutrCRNA!

Ah, smart move :D

I bet you folks at SGU, ROSS ,AUC or SABA (top 4) came up about 15 Gs short :chuckle .I wasn't so lucky. But in the end I must say that they "whipped" into knowing my stuff. I've never studied in my entire life as had for those 8 months. I'm sure that things like biochem,med genetics, histo/embryo,gross anatomy,neuro anatomy, path, physio,micro etc will come handy if I'm accepted. BTW any advice on telling vs not telling them about my med school try. I thought...may be I shouldn't. But then I have about a year gap in my employment Hx. Although I did a lot of FFS home Care contracting, while running my acupuncture practice prior to. I guess I could always "blame" it on self-employment. I still have to get myself an ICU job :uhoh3: ,and do B.S premed to BSN before I could even qualify. Well, at least it's not travelling to some hellhole nowhere land, and not being able to work for at least next 4-5 yrs :uhoh3: I'm realy jealous that I didn't have areal good friend to talk me out of EGO trip :angryfire :chuckle

Good Luck to you, and hang in there.

If you don't mind I'll pm you sometime in the future.

Thanks

See how busy school is keeping me - I haven't even had time to read a post in days!!! Fortunately, I never enrolled in SGU as I was already in nursing school when I was accepted. I just politely declined and kept on learning how to give bed baths and saved myself about $15,000. Therefore, I never had to explain any med school issues when I applied to CRNA school. I think you should be upfront about it when you apply. I mean, it is part of your career path - a fork in the road you chose not to pursue. I don't know that I would present it as an ego trip that was cut short because the airport lost your luggage, but I would at least show 'em a few post cards. (Yeah, I have no idea what the hell I'm talking about either...my brain is FRIED from studying for exams next week. :bugeyes: ) Anyway, hang in there - and yes, feel free to PM me anytime.

Must get back to the books now. The glycoprotein attaches peripherally to the plama membrane and facilitates.... aaackk!!!!

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Hey FutrCRNA!

Glad to hear you're taking a good bite out of CRNA science.I know you'll be fine. I don't want to bug you too much, esp right before the exams. My head is still spinning from doing 8-10 hrs a day in addition to the class time in med school :uhoh3: Yap, that was pretty much the norm, except for the students with graduate ed, or even Ph.D in some cell molecular stuff. Lucky bustards. But the "justice" catchs up with them when the real deal starts in clinical rotations :devil: Anyway, lots of luck to you on your exams :D

See how busy school is keeping me - I haven't even had time to read a post in days!!! Fortunately, I never enrolled in SGU as I was already in nursing school when I was accepted. I just politely declined and kept on learning how to give bed baths and saved myself about $15,000. Therefore, I never had to explain any med school issues when I applied to CRNA school. I think you should be upfront about it when you apply. I mean, it is part of your career path - a fork in the road you chose not to pursue. I don't know that I would present it as an ego trip that was cut short because the airport lost your luggage, but I would at least show 'em a few post cards. (Yeah, I have no idea what the hell I'm talking about either...my brain is FRIED from studying for exams next week. :bugeyes: ) Anyway, hang in there - and yes, feel free to PM me anytime.

Must get back to the books now. The glycoprotein attaches peripherally to the plama membrane and facilitates.... aaackk!!!!

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